Steve Matthews' Aqueduct selections for Sunday, April 13
Best bet: STORM CHANGER (8)
Best value: STOLEN BASE (5)
FIRST: Hatch wheels back in a hurry after non-stressful sixth 15 days ago; fast back numbers. Derbyness is speedy and should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs; dangerous. J D Factor would be aided by fast fractions.
SECOND: Soontobeking tallied swift final fraction when winning last; more to come. National Identity lost head bob to top selection last out; be no surprise. Prince Valiant was freshened after winning two in a row this winter; must consider.
THIRD: Hoku ships in from Philly and gets confident price boost; odds should be on your side. Chileno is training with a purpose for first start in more than four months; dangerous. Pirate could play out as the main speed; very interesting.
FOURTH: Spun Size exits game placing in last; rates close call. Observer drops to lifetime low; worth long look. Nikki Brainburst was a clear-cut second in last; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Stolen Base gets class relief after speed and fade in last; tighter today. Paxsational will prove very tough on a soft lead. Winit makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Blue Suede Sue is rested, drops and compiled tight work tab; set for big effort. Malibu's Dynamite wheels back on one week's rest after non-stressful fifth in last; very playable. Good Mission has been a repeated failure at short odds; you've been warned.
SEVENTH: Unlimited Potential bounced last time after a pair of fast-figured efforts; rebounds today. Skylander could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Smile Mon (speedy) and Jackson Heights (late wallop) are two more that could impact in contentious group.
EIGHTH: Storm Changer took backward step in last after game placing in prior; produces big effort today. Princess Mischief is competitive on best effort; worth a look. Forever to Go owns speed but lacks heart; must take the good with the bad.
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